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Alexandria Innovation in Technology Awards Held on April 10Louis Foreman, Producer of “Everyday Edisons,” Announced as Speaker

The City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Inc. (AEDP) are pleased to announce the upcoming Alexandria Innovation in Technology Awards. Formerly known as Alexandria Tech Week, the new and improved program will take place on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at the Westin Alexandria, 400 Courthouse Square. The awards dinner will recognize Aguru Images, The Ashlawn Group, LLC; Democracy Data & Communications, LLC; and Michael Baker Corporation for the technology achievements. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased online at www.alextechweek.com.

This exciting program will feature speaker Louis Foreman, Creator and Executive Producer of the PBS show, “Everyday Edisons.” Three years ago, Louis began developing the concept for a reality show that would help make inventors' dreams come true—and educate America about what it truly takes to bring a product to market in the process. Today, this reality series is known as Everyday Edisons, and its mission has stayed true to Louis' initial desire: to continue to fuel the innovative spirit that has historically characterized, strengthened and distinguished our society from the rest.

Louis' experience as founder and Chief Executive of Enventys (www.enventys.com) led him to develop the idea for an educational reality series featuring inventors. He found that inventors were constantly coming to Enventys, his integrated product development and creative marketing firm in Charlotte, N.C., asking him to "raise" their inventions on their behalf. Louis noticed that a surprising number of these inventors were ordinary people with great ideas that were not necessarily interested in developing a business around their invention. Most were looking for someone to take their idea, validate its worth and develop it for them.

“Everyday Edisons” endeavor is just one of the many entrepreneurial projects Louis has facilitated during his lifetime. A prolific inventor, he holds nine registered U.S. Patents, and his firm is responsible for the development and filing of more than 150 others. Over the past 20 years, Louis has created five successful start-ups and has been directly responsible for the creation of more than ten others. His interest in starting businesses and developing innovative products began while he was a sophomore in college, with his first company founded in his fraternity room. Louis graduated from The University of Illinois with a Bachelors of Science in Economics.

The recipient of numerous awards for entrepreneurial achievement, his passion for small business extends beyond his own companies. Louis volunteers his time teaching small business classes at Central Piedmont Community College and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. He was most recently invited by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to be a featured speaker on the topic of innovation.

Louis currently serves as a board member for the University of North Carolina Charlotte Technology Commercialization Committee, The Entrepreneurial Leadership Council at Queens University, The Central Piedmont Community College Small Business Advisory Board as well as serving other community and charitable organizations. In 2005, Louis was a founding member of The Inventors Network of the Carolinas, a non-profit organization that empowers inventors through education, support, and networking opportunities.